Friday, April 08, 2016

Tesla’s Model 3 Already Has 325,000 Prospective Owners - The New York Times

Driving change

"“We are not aware of any precedent of this level of order interest for any other car,” Adam Jonas, a Morgan Stanley analyst, wrote in a research note.

By contrast, sales of current electric cars and hybrid models, which are powered by both gasoline engines and batteries, have languished in recent months as American consumers have taken advantage of low gas prices to buy larger vehicles like pickups and sport utility vehicles.

But the introduction of the new Tesla has shattered expectations for the so-called electrified segment of vehicles.

“Despite its many accomplishments, Tesla had not yet truly disrupted the auto industry,” Mr. Jonas wrote. “We are now getting the feeling that this may be starting to change.”"